Metters rewarded by Warwickshire with two-year deal

Warwickshire have rewarded slow left-armer Chris Metters with a new two-year contract.

The 21-year-old Devonian played last season on a summer contract but made such a favourable impression in his first season of county cricket that the club has now given him a full professional deal.

Metters, who was recommended to Warwickshire by their former manager Bob Cottam, took six for 65 on his County Championship debut against Worcestershire in May and ended the season with a five-wicket haul against Hampshire at the Rose Bowl last month as Warwickshire came agonisingly close to winning the Championship title.

Metters will be Warwickshire’s main left-arm spinner next spinner next season following the retirement of Ant Botha because of an elbow injury.

Warwickshire have also completed the signing of pace bowler Ricardo Gordon on a summer contract for next season. The 19-year-old comes from Aston and was brought up a few streets away from young county batsman Ateeq Javid.

Gordon made his breakthrough in Second XI cricket this year as a potent bowler at the start and end of an innings and he also impressed with Moseley in the Birmingham & District Premier League.

“He got wickets up front but he also came back and got them when the ball went soft,” said Warwickshire’s Second XI coach Dougie Brown.

“He’s quick but he has also bowled with a lot of control. He will work with us through the winter and join us on a seven-month contract at the start of the season.”